The Los Angeles Dodgers remain the frontrunners to acquire highly-touted Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki, according to Baseball America’s Ben Badler. This isn’t just wishful thinking; it’s backed by several factors according to Badler.
Sasaki has generated significant interest from several Major League Baseball teams and is considered to be one of the most compelling stories of the offseason. While he is known for his ferocious fastball that consistently reaches triple-digit speeds, Sasaki also captains a frontline split-fingered fastball, a sharp slider, and a changeup. In his most recent season, he went 10-5 and posted a 2.35 ERA, struck out 129, walked 32, and gave up just two home runs in 111 innings.
Why The Dodgers Are Front Runners For Roki Sasaki
— First, they can offer lucrative endorsement deals that could significantly exceed any salary offered by other teams. The biggest example of this is Shohei Otani. According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, Ohtani’s endorsement deals would generate nearly $100 million after signing with the team.
— Secondly, Los Angeles’ large Japanese population provides a culturally familiar environment for Sasaki. Not only that, but the team has quickly built a strong connection with Japanese fans. About 15.2 million television viewers in Japan watched each of the first two games of the World Series on average, compared with 14.5 million in the United States, according to Major League Baseball.
Additionally, the Dodgers’ have hinted at a shift to a six-man rotation, which aligns well with Sasaki’s natural pitching style. It is also very evident that the team is looking to be in inconsistent contention for World Series championships. They also have a proven track record of developing pitchers, particularly those from Japan makes the Dodgers even more appealing.
The Dodgers’ starting rotation already includes Shohei Ohtani, Blake Snell, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
